By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

THAI SONG YANG, Thailand – A sudden offensive against ethnic Karen rebels by Myanmar’s military junta has led to a mass exodus of refugees from Myanmar. The six-decade long conflict between the Christian Karen and the mainly-Buddhist Myanmar’s junta continues to escalate.

Thailand is already home to 135,000 refugees, yet more refugees and orphans continue to arrive. Just weeks ago a group of 96 orphans fled their children’s home in Myanmar to the sound of mortal shells, AFP reports.

One such orphanage is run by Tasanee Keereepraneed, who watches over children from Myanmar tending to toddlers not much younger than themselves. Tasanee has readily taken in orphans and displaced families from one of the world’s longest conflicts. “The children look after each other and take care of themselves. The older ones teach the younger ones…They have to grow up very quickly,” said Tasanee, speaking about the orphans. These children idly spend their time since the resources available to them are meager at best, “They do not have a school, they do not have a place to stay because they had to run from the attacks,” said Tasanee.

Many elderly couples have been forced to flee the fighting and seek refuge in Thailand’s makeshift camps, some after having walked long distances without food and hardly any water. Those left behind are at risk of suffering at the hands of the rebels and as well as the military. In early June local aid groups reported the rape of teenage and pregnant women by government troops.

History makes no secret of hiding that war brings out ugliness in everyone.

 For more information, please see:

AFP – Myanmar Orhaps Flee to Uncertain Refuge in Thailand – July 9, 2009  

AP – Myanmar Refugee Numbers Swell in Thailand – July 6, 2009